Last weekend made things clearer at the top and bottom of Division 1, but nothing is yet settled. I was at the top v bottom clash between North County, whose one-sidedness I have already reported on. Hence I was able to watch all but the first few overs of The Hill's pursuit of the fairly modest Merrion total of 162.

The Hills had Merrion at 48-4 and 94-7, the brothers Clinton doing most of the damage, but Kade Beasley made 50 with the tail to take Merrion to 162 off 46.1 overs. Luke Clinton finished with 3/33. I have already described how The Hills made really heavy weather of the chase, slowed up by 4/21 from John Anderson and 1/28 from Tiktish Patel.

In the third Division 1 match on Saturday, Malahide hosted Railway Union. I apologise if anybody went to Park Avenue to see this game - I don't know how I made that mistake in last week's preview. Railway won the toss, batted, lost Tom Fisher for his second lowest score of the season, but then prospered from a century partnership between Kenny Carroll (43) and Graeme McDonnell. Tim Townend (28) and Mo Tariq (37) then helped McDonnell (130) take the 50 over total to 296-7.

The only respectable bowling figures were those of Pete Saville - 3/29, although Stevie Smith went for only 39 from his ten overs. At 116-1, Malahide were in with a shout. But after Reece McDonald departed for 58 the innings fell away to Paddy Conliffe (4/25), only Jimmy Govan (30) providing much resistance, until a late flurry from Saville (30) got the Villagers to 236 in 49.4 overs, and one more bonus point than relegation rivals Leinster.

Malahide were at home again on Sunday, against Merrion. The visitors recovered from 0-2 through Greg Clarence (71), Dom Joyce (41) and Johnny Anderson (52), and finished on 239-8, a decent enough score in the Village. Phil Markey returned 3/33 off his ten, and Pete Saville 2/42. Reece McDonald gave Malahide a good start with 38 out of 65, and Adam Coughlan kept Fintan McAllister company with 23.

A slight wobble was eased by Nick Turner's 37, but there were serious jelly wobbles as 215-4 became 217-7, McAllister out for 81, but Phil Markey and Pete Saville saw the Village home in the last over. There was another last over finish at Milverton, Manu Kumar risking it for a biscuit, caught trying to pull the winning boundary, but you'll already have read my account of how Clontarf beat The Hills for the third time this season.

Those five matches mean that North County are going to have to try very hard not to win the league, and Leinster and YMCA are going to have to rely on winning their final matches and hope that Malahide and Clontarf also lose their matches. Things are very clear in Division 2 after Saturday's matches.

In the Park, Terenure fell away badly after having been 132-2. Donal Vaughan was run out for 38, Nathan Carroll caught for 45, and only Shane Mott got past twenty as the 'Nure were bowled out for 201 in 43.4 overs, Conor Kelly taking 3/43 against his former team. Phoenix were 47-2 in reply when Kelly joined Ben Larkin to add a hundred in jig time. Kelly made 45, Larkin 86, as Phoenix got home with 11.4 overs to spare. Shane Mott took 1/19 off 10, but everybody else got welly, Plates Brennan included!

Pembroke enjoyed their day out in DNS (de nort soide), accumulating 257-6 in Cabra thanks to Brian O'Rourke (77), Theo Lawson (46) and Ryan Hopkins (63). Simmi Singh (3/54) and Samir Dutt (2/46) looked the Senior players they are, and Syed Ali keeps a tidy wicket, but the rest? The normally reliable Richie O'Donnell recorded 1-0-18-0! Old Belvedere were never in it: Simmi Singh made 58, Ernie Extras was next highest scorer as they recovered from 128-8 to 162 all out. Allan Eastwood and Ryan Hopkins took three wickets apiece.

That result means that the second promotion slot is between Rush and Pembroke, who meet in Kenure on Saturday. Barring accidents, the winner goes up with Phoenix. Baldstu will be there to tweet a 'Broke victory. The other Division 2 match on Saturday is Cork County's visit to Dublin 6W. Terenure should win that, leaving the Munstermen needing to win in Cabra on Sunday to ensure Division 2 survival. Baldstu will record another away win on Twitter.

All eight Division 1 teams are in action on Saturday. North County will demolish Clontarf at Castle Avenue, The Hills will bury YMCA at Claremont Road, and Railway will marmalise Merrion again at Anglesea Road. Why again? Because the sides will have met in a refix on Thursday at Park Avenue. There's a chance of easterly winds, so baldstu might forsake his beloved shorts!

The match that really matters is at Rathmines, where Leinster simply have to beat Malahide to stand any chance of staying in Division 1. Everybody knows of my affection for Leinster, but I'm not your normal one-eyed clubman - I haven't been a member there for twenty years. As an umpire first, and now as a commentator, my loyalty is to cricket. Malahide have started playing good cricket of late, and will win.

My thoughts on Saturday will be first at Ewood Park, hoping more for no broken legs than three points, and then for the result from Dublin 6. On either count, I might just have to crack a second bottle of wine. Two wins the right way could mean the 1980 Margaux making an appearance!

Cheers,
 
Stu.